Tupelo likely to stay with Waste Management

I'm a journalist focused on government, policy, politics and people.I find what matters and bird dog it like nobody's business.

By Robbie Ward/NEMS Daily Journal

TUPELO – With the city of Tupelo’s trash collection contract ending next month, the City Council seems likely to continue using Waste Management, the company that has provided the service for decades.
In a work session held Thursday, only three City Council members attended. However, each who attended – Markel Whittington of Ward 1, Fred Pitts of Ward 2 and Jonny Davis of Ward 5 – all agreed to choose Waste Management.
In April, three companies provided proposals to the city showing costs related to keeping existing waste pickup schedule that includes trash pickup twice a week and recycling pickup every two weeks. The proposals also included an option for trash and recycling pickup once each week.
Among the companies with proposals, Waste Management had the lowest rate for the current pickup schedule, $12.44 per residential household. However, the other companies had lower rates for the other schedule.
“Waste Management has been a good, strategic partner for the city of Tupelo,” Whittington said. “We’d be better served with them than the other company’s offering RFPs.”
Council members also appear likely to vote to keep the same trash collection schedule.
The city contract is expected to be valued in excess of $10 million annually. Proposals to the city include collection at 13,214 single-family residential customers and 128 multi-unit residences.
While the City Council will likely select a company Tuesday to award the four-year contract with a two-year renewal option, specifics of the contract will be determined later.
robbie.ward@journalinc.com